DEFEATED IN POLITENESS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1365, 28 April 1883, Page 4

DEFEATED IN POLITENESS.

Years ago, travellers going to Canada by the way of Lake Champlain used to seek the steamboat which' Captain Sherman commanded, The Captain was famous -for the neatness of his boat and the discipline of its crew, and for his own politeness. He was the only man whom Horace Greely acknowledged to be his superior in polite behavour, One morning, after breakfasting, Mr Greely, who was in a capital humor, turning .to a friend asked: "Do you know'that I claim to be the most polite man in the country?" Tho friend, well awaio that the celebrated editor when irritated was neither gentle in manner nor courteous in speech, replied that he was not aware that the graces of politeness were prominent among Ms many excellent traits. " But I assure you," answered Greoley, with a smile that overspread his baby face—someone said he had a philosopher's head with tho face of a baby—" that I have never been beaten in politeness but once in my life." i Then he told the story of his defeat, Before the days of railroads, he left TJtica, one morning, in a stage coach. His only fellow passenger was a gentle, man of preposessing appearance, with whom he fell into' conversation, _ After a while, the ; strangor drow a cigar-case from Ms pocket, and offered its contents to Mr Greeley for him to take from it a cigar. He" declined the polite offer, and the conversation was: resumed. _ Presently the gentleman, taking a cigar from the case, put it in his mouth, and returned the case to his pocket. While they were .talking, he abruptly but courteously remarked to Mr Greely: "I hope, sir, you have no objection to a cigar V "None in the world," answered Greely, "when it is not lighted.". " Oh," replied the gontleman," I had not the remotest thought of lighting it." ..' '.- " Then and tbjre," Baid-Mr Greeley: laughing, ('was the only time"! ever was beat in politeness. I afterwards .ascertained that my victor wtfs.the famous Captain Sherman, of Lake Champlain."..